According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on August 12, Guo Jiaqun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered reporters' questions.
Journalists asked: At the Disarmament Negotiations Conference in Geneva on August 11, countries including the United States jointly stated that the recent missile test by certain countries in the Pacific region did not follow standard procedures, increasing the risk of misjudgment and undermining regional stability. They claimed that those countries should implement the " Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation." It is believed that this joint statement was directed at China's test launch of a submarine-launched strategic missile in July this year. What is China's comment on this?
Guo Jiaqun said that countries such as the United States are engaging in so-called joint statements at the Geneva Disarmament Negotiations, using the ' Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation' to criticize China’s missile tests. This is purely for political purposes, fully revealing their hypocritical nature and their practice of 'double standards'.
The Chinese side urges relevant countries to stop abusing multilateral arms control mechanisms, to replace irrational confrontation with sincere dialogue, and to create necessary conditions for strengthening dialogue and exchanges in the field of arms control.
Previously, regarding the statements made by the United States and other countries at the Disarmament Negotiations Conference in Geneva on August 11, Li Chijiang, the Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, strongly denied them and clarified China's position.
Ambassador Li Chijiang emphasized that China firmly opposes certain countries abusing the platform of the Conference on Disarmament for political manipulation. The US, for its own political interests, has tried to drag some countries, including those not members of the Conference on Disarmament, into joint statements. It has been overly critical and unjustly accused China for its good intentions in informing others about missile tests. This is a typical case of political manipulation and blatant double standards. China will never accept such actions and firmly opposes them.
Ambassador Li Chijiang pointed out that the US accusations are completely unfounded. The US refers to the voluntary political commitment “ Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation” and demands that China inform the US in advance about missile launches. However, China is not a member of the “Code of Conduct” and is not bound by its provisions. China has always carried out intercontinental ballistic missile tests in a safe, regulated, and responsible manner. It informs countries such as the US in advance and takes prudent and reasonable measures to ensure that our tests do not harm any national interests. This fully demonstrates China’s good intentions and responsible attitude. The good intentions of China should never be subject to geopolitical calculations.
Ambassador Li Chijiang stated that the United States has no right to comment on China's missile tests. To date, China has only conducted three intercontinental missile tests, making it the country with the fewest tests among the five nuclear powers. The United States is the country that conducts the most and most frequent intercontinental missile tests in the world. By blatantly breaking treaties and withdrawing from certain agreements, investing huge amounts of money in nuclear weapons development, and implementing arrangements for nuclear sharing and extended deterrence, the United States poses a serious threat to international peace and security. The United States has not fulfilled its obligations regarding missile test notifications properly, and therefore has no right to be critical of China's good-faith actions that were communicated in advance.
Ambassador Li Chi Jiang emphasized that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development, pursued a self-defense nuclear strategy, and has always maintained its nuclear forces at a level that meets the minimum needs of national security. China does not participate in any form of nuclear arms race. China’s nuclear forces are an indispensable asset for deterring nuclear war and maintaining world peace, security, and global strategic stability. China’s legitimate and reasonable modernization of its defense capabilities is undeniable. China urges the United States to reflect on itself and do more things that truly benefit world peace and stability.
